Seattle Sounders' Shalrie Joseph happy to have paved way for Clint Dempsey by signing new deal

TUKWILA, Wash. — Few players in MLS history can match the career accomplishments of Shalrie Joseph.The 10-year veteran has been named MLS Best XI four times, been an All-Star seven times and was an instrumental part in leading the New England Revolution to three straight MLS Cup finals.

“I didn’t know it was for him specifically but I’m glad it worked out,” Joseph said, clearly in good spirits ahead of Saturday's trip to Toronto FC (7 pm ET; MLS Live). “In the end, it’s a team game and for me it’s all about trying to win a championship. That’s why I’m here and whoever they wanted to bring in, I’m glad it worked out perfectly.

“To have him is going to make us into a better team. Even though we are playing well as a team right now, he’s going to push us to be better.”

Even if Joseph didn’t know who was going to fill his vacated Designated Player spot, it’s safe to say he was pleased to find out it was Dempsey. The two were teammates from 2004-06, making the MLS Cup finals in two of those years.

Although Dempsey was a relatively unknown rookie when they first started playing together, Joseph said the makings of a great player were evident from the beginning.

“Even from practice Day 1, he came in and he just worked,” Joseph recalled. “He didn’t show he was a rookie, he knew he belonged in this league and he knew the sky was the limit for him and kept pushing himself, worked hard.

“It’s all smiles, not just for me,” Joseph said. “We have such great talent here. We can come in with such a complete game, it’s going to be a challenge everyday to get into that 11. That’s a problem for the Sigi and the coaching staff. It’s a great problem. It’s all about trying to get that next win, trying to get to the playoffs and and trying to get that championship.”